Reinforcing means for concrete structures



W. GOLDIE.

REINFORCING MEANS FOR CONCRETE STRUCTURES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY I0, 1918.

1 ,344:,881 Patented June 29, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

FIG. 5

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L O 0 x I/II 6 6 /a i J INVENTOR I 'w. GOLDIE. REINFORCI NG MEANS FOR CONCRETE STRUCTURES.

APPLICATION HLED JULY 10,1918- Patented June29, 1920.

, 2 SHEETS-SHEEP2.

INVE NTOR "1&4 7%? M M WILLIAM GOLDIE, OF WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

REINFORCING- MEANS FOR CONCRETE STRUCTURES.

Application filed July 10. 1918.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM GoLmn, a citizen of the United States, and resident of I/Vilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Reinforcing Means for Concrete Structures; and I adapted for use in buildings and of other structures where it is necessary to secure great rigidity of connection between the various reinforcing members, and where it is desired that the concrete shall be intimately bound at a great number of more or less closely adjacent points in the reinforcing structures.

In preparing the reinforcing means for concrete ships and the like, it is very necessary that the several parts or members of the reinforcing structure shall be held together with sufiicient rigidity to aid the concrete in resisting bending and torsional strains to which ships and like structures are peculiarly subjected. In the fabricating of such concrete ships, as commonly carried on to-day, the parts or members of the reinforcing structure are, in a large number of cases, merely wired or otherwise temporarily attached together with little regard for the prevention of relative movement between. the several parts of the reinforcing str' 0- ture and with practically no regard for enabling the reinforcing structure to assist by its own innate rigid character the bending and torsional strains to which the structure, as a whole, is to be subjected.

With these ends in view, therefore, I have provided greatly improved means for at taching the several members or parts of the reinforcing structure together, such connecting means making it possible, to a very large extent, previously to prepare all of the separate elements of the reinforcing structure to be assembled in such manner that they may be readily fitted together on the ground and the structure may be assembled by unskilled labor.

Referring again to ship construction per Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 29, 1920.

Serial No. 244.235.

$0, I have provided an arrangement of the reinforcing members and a manner of attaching it together from which it results that the main reinforcing elements are embedded in the concrete. Both the inner and outer surfaces of the concrete structures, are spaced apart and the interspacing between these members isv so intersected with auxiliary reinforcing members that the concrete is exceptionally intimately engaged through and through with the entire reinforcing structure. 7

In the accompanying drawings, is illustrated the several features of preferred embodiments of my reinforcing structure, in which Figure l is a vertical sectional view of the bottom and side of the concrete ship; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the reinforcing structure, illustrated in Fig. 1 before the same is molded into the concrete; Fig. 3 illustrates partly in section and partly in elevation, details of uniting the main and auxiliary members of the reinforcing structure. Fig. 4 illustrates'further details of uniting the members of the structure at the junction of the side with the bottom of the ship; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 5-5, Fig. 4 of further details of the union; Figs. 6 and 7 are views similar to Figs. 3 and 5 of still further elements of the reinforcing structure, the sections being taken on the line 6-6 and 77 of Fig. 2;

and Figs. 8 to 16 are detail views partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating more clearly the details of the structures at the unions of the several parts of the. reinforcing structure.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated particularly in Figs. 1 and 2, it will be noted that the concrete side 1 and the concrete bottom 2 have embodied therein separate and distinct lines or frameworks 3 and 4 of reinforcing structures. The inner framework 3, which lies adjacent the inner surfaces of the side and bottom is spaced away from the outer framework 4:, which in turn lies adjacent the outer surfaces of the the vessel being shown as extending longi tudinally while the stringers in the side walls of the vessel are shown as extending vertically. Inasmuch as the inner framework 3 and the outer framework 4- are of the same general construction, a description of one will sullice for both. 2

These longitudinal stringers 5 are united transversely by several series of cross-bars, or ribs 6, that is to say, the stringers 5 extend longitudinally of the bottom of the vessel and the cross or rib members 6 extend transversely of the bottom, whereas, in the sides of the vessel the heavier or main members 7 and 8 extend upwardly on the sides from the bottom to the gunwale, whereas the immediate members 9 and 10, similar to the bottom transverse member 6, extend longitudinally of the sides of the vessel.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 3, 6 and 7, it will be noted that the main stringer members 5 consist of rolled or wrought bars of peculiar cross section and in fact all of the main members of this structure, consist of wrought or rolled bars of this peculiar cross section. This cross section of bar is illustrated in large form in F ins. 3, 6 and 7, for example, in which each 3 I s of the bars 1s shown to comprise a vertical web 11 having flanges 12 projecting to either side thereof, said flanges being bent toward each other to form dove-tailed recesses at either side of the reinforcing bar. As shown in the drawings, the outer surfaces of these flanged portions are prefera ly rounded or circular, so that the general outline of the cross-section of the bar is preferably a perfect circle. Between the upper and lower flanges is formed the longitudinal dovetailed grooves which are permanently attaehed to receive and secure the ends of the transverse or intermediary members 6.-

One of the best forms of these intermediary members (3 is illustrated in detail in Figs. 8 to 12, inclusive. Referring to F 12 particularly in the first instance, it will be noted that these transverse members 6 consist preferably of a pair of channel members each having the web 13 and laterally projecting flanges 14;. In the most approved form of my invention, I place the webs 13 of these channel members back to back and rivet the members together, as at 15, Figs. 8 to 10, inclusive. By this means the intermediate transverse members do not present at any point smooth walls in contact with the concrete, wherein the concrete has no op- 'iortunity to form a binding engagement with the transverse members, but on the other hand by placing this channel shaped element of the transverse members back to back, as shown, each side of the member so completed, presents an open laterally extending channel into which the concrete may freely flow, and form strong binding ribs in engagement with the upper and lower flanges 14 of these channel members, which concrete ribs in turn rein force the transverse members and are reinforced by them.

This forming of locking ribs with the reinforcing members is also true of the engagement of the concrete with my main reinforcing members 5, 7 and 8, respectively, for in the case of these main members, the concrete flows into the dove-tailed recesses between the upper and lower flanges 12 and forms powerful strengthening ribs of concrete which reinforce the reinforcing members, and are in turn reinforced by these lateral flanges 12 of the main reinforcing members.

lit will be seen, therefore, that at every point of the reinforcing structure, the concrete is intimately engaged with and is reinforced by the reinforcing members, and in turn the reinforcing members faces are powerfully reinforced or strengthened by these powerful concrete ribs formed between the flanges of the several reinforcing members. This structure has obviously greater advantages over one in which the reinforcing members are merely embedded within the concrete and are not intimately engaged or interlocked therewith for mutual support and strength.

Referring now to Figs. 8 to 12, inclusive, I will describe the manner in which the transverse members 6 are intimately engaged and locked with the main stringer members 5 of the structure. Referring to Fig. 12, it will be noted that the flan es 14 near the ends of these transverse members are severed from the web, as at 16, for example, adjacent the opposite ends of the transverse member. This is for the purpose of facilitating the insertion of the transverse members between the longitudinal stringer members. For it is to be understood that when the parallel stringer members 5 have been placed in position, it is necessary to insert the opposite ends of the transverse reinforcing members 6 within the dove-tailed lateral. grooves of the main stringer members 5 with the transverse members standing at a slant or angle to the longitudinal members in order to permit the ends of the transverse members to clear the flanges 12 of the longitudinal stringers when being placed in position between them. VVhen the ends of the transverse members are brought opposite the longitudinal dove-tailed groove of the stringer members, the transverse members may be swung into right-angled position with relation to the longitudinal stringer. In doing this, it is obvious that if the flanges 14 at the opposite ends of the transverse members stand in their normal laterally extending position, it will be somewhat di'llicult to force these transverse members from the diagonal position between the longitudinal members reaper into right-angled position with respect to said members, for the outer corners of the flanges 14 will engage with the vertical webs 11 of the longitudinal membersbefore the transverse members have reached such rightangled position. I

In order therefore to facilitate this insertion and right-angled positioning of the transverse members, between the longitudinal members, I bend down the severed end portion of the flanges 14, as illustrated at 17 in Figs. 8 and 12. This brings the ends of the flanges somewhat within the ends of the main webs 13 of the transverse members, so that these flanges will readily clear the vertical webs 11 of the main reinforcing members. By a sharp blow on opposite ends and opposite. sides of the transverse members, they can then be swung into rightangl'ed position with respect to the longitudinal members, or brought to the position shown in Fig. 8.

When brought to this final right-angled position with respect to the logitudinal stringers, it is necessary to lock these transverse members firmly and rigidly to the longitudinal stringers. To this end, provide means for expanding or spreading apart the upper and lower flanges of the transverse members, as shown in enlarged view in Figs. 9 to 11, inclusive. This expanding operation may be effected in a number of different ways, butin the preferred form of my invention, I may first insert a suitable hand tool to bend or spread apart the severed ends 17' of the flanges 14 of Fig. 8, and force them into engagement with the flanges of the longitudinal memhere as in Fig. 9. With the ends of the flanges in this position, I provide an improved and very simple form of locking member or plate for forcing these upper and lower flanges of the transverse members farther apart, and into intimate and rigid engagement with the inner faces of the flanges 12 of the longitudinal or stringer members, as in Figs. 10 and 11.

This form of locking plate is illustrated at 18, Fig. 15. It consists normally of a curved web 18 having engaged ends or edges 20 which are so shaped or formed that when this locking plate is flattened from its curved position shown, for example, in Fig.

10, to its flattened or extended positionshown in Fig. 11, the wedge-shaped locking edge 20 will further expand the ends 17 of the flanges 14 of the transverse members and cause them to engage intimately and rigidly with the flanges 12 of the longitumembers with the greatest possible rigidity,

both against longitudinal movement between the stringers and against any lateral movement along the stringers. It will be seen, therefore, that the means provided for connecting or securing together the main longitudinal stringer and the transverse in termediate member is simple, very easy of assembly, requires little, if any skilled labor and makes it possible to cut the severa members of the reinforcing structure the proper lengths before they are assembled at the building plant.

Having described the manner in which I unite the corner members of the reinforcing structure with the bottom members thereof, for it will be understood that aside from this connection, the manner of assembling the main side stringers or ribs 7 and 8 with their transverse members 9 and 10, Figs. 1 and 2, is the same as that heretofore described. Turning now to Figs. 4

and 5, it will be noted that the upright ribs 7 and 8 of the sides of a concrete vessel for example, must be rigidly united to the longitudinal members 5 of the bottom. In Fig. 4, the longitudinal bottom stringers are illustrated in section, and, the side rib members are illustrated in elevation. hereas, in Fig. 5 the longitudinal bottom members 5 are illustrated in elevation and the ribs or upright members 7 and 8 are illustrated in section.

In order to effect this union, I provide a sleeve connector as 21, Figs. 4 and 5, which connector is illustrated in detail and perspective in F ig. 16. This figure as illus trated in Fig. 16, consists of a main body or sleeve-like portion 21 with end exten- ,sions 22. The sleeve portion of this connector is slipped over the ends of the upright members 7 and 8, Fig. 4, and is riveted or bolted thereto, as at 23, so that the projecting ends or extensions 22 will extend over the bottom stringer members 5. These ends 22 are then forced downwardly over the curved upper and lower surfaces of the longitudinal stringer members and form an intimate connection therewith.

In order to prevent the rotary movement of the connector on the longitudinal members 5, filler blocks 24 are inserted between the flanges 12 of the longitudinal members resting against the central web 11 of such member, and these blocks may be held in position by being riveted as at 23 to the webs of the members 7 and 8, all as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. It is to be understood that these filler blocks 24 may be in the form of U-shaped members, the legs of which straddle, the webs of the members 8 and form a wide solid block lying between the edges of the flange 12 of the main longitudinal members.

In constructing the double reinforcing frame constructions indicated, that is to say, having one complete reinforcing frame adjacent the inner face or walls of the con crete wall, and having the outer frame in general adjacent the outer surfaces of the bottom and side wall of the vessel or structure, it is desirable to provide means to positively space these main general frames a definite distance apart, and also provide means to hold the frames in such definite spaced position.

To this end, I provide V-shaped wedge members 25, as illustrated more particularly in Figs. 6 and 7, and in detail in Fig. 14. These members consist simply of an angle piece of sheet metal, the junction of the legs of which is provided with a depression 26 for engagement with the rounded surfaces of the main stringer member, such as 5, and the opposite ends of the legs of the member are provided with curved depressions 27 for engaging the curved surfaces of the stringer members of the opposite frames. These wedge members with their legs spread somewhat apart to decrease their height are inserted between the main stringer members, such as 5 and then the legs are brought together by any suitable tool or means so that the members serve to wedge apart the inner and outer reinforcing frames.

In order also to hold these inner and outer frames at a definite distance apart, I provide spanner members, such as 28, clearly illustrated in Figs. 6, 7 and 13, each spanner member having end flanges or hooks 29 adapted to engage the flanges 12 of the opposite main stringer member, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. As will be seen by inspection of these figures, the spanner members 28 limit the degree of separation of the inner and outer main reinforcing frames, whereas, the wedge members 25 serve to space these inner and outer frames at the distance predetermined by the length between the flanges 29 of the spanner members 28. In addition to holding the inner and outer frames in def inite spaced relation, it will be seen that both the wedge members 25 and the spanner members 28 form means for the more intimately interlocking of the cement with the reinforcing structure, for the cement must flow between and around the main members of the frames and also between and around the spanners 28 and the wedges 25.

While I have herein described particular embodiments of my invention, and I have specified certain details of construction for the different parts, it is to be understood that the assembled structure and the several details thereof may be varied to any desired extent within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A reinforcing structure for concrete comprising a plurality of substantially parallel main stringer members having dovetailed grooves extending continuously along either side thereof, a plurality of transverse reinforcing members having their ends ex panded into and interlocked between the dovetailed grooves of said longitudinal members.

2. A reinforcing structure for concrete, comprising a plurality of substantially parallel main stringer members, each consisting of a wrought or rolled metal section having flanges at the top and bottom bent toward each other to form dove-tailed recesses at the sides of said members, and a plurality of transverse reinforcing members comprising channel shaped members, each comprising a web and laterally extending flanges the flanges of said transverse members at their ends being expanded within the lateral recesses of said stringer members to rigidly lock the stringer members and transverse members together.

3. A reinforcing structure for concrete, comprising a plurality of substantially par allel main stringer members, each consisting of a wrought or rolled metal section having flanges at the top and bottom bent toward each other to form dove-tailed recesses at the sides of said members, and a plurality of transverse reinforcing members compris ing channel shaped members, each comprising a web and laterally extending flanges, the flanges of said transverse members at their ends being expanded within the lateral recesses of said stringer members to rigidly lock the stringer members and transverse members together, and locking members adapted to be inserted between the ends of said flanges of the channel-shaped members, said locking members serving to expand and hold said flanged ends in intimate en gagement with the recesses of said stringer members.

4. A reinforcing structure for concrete, comprising a plurality of stringer members having normally dove-tailed recesses at their sides, a plurality of transverse reinforcing members having their ends expanded within said recesses to hold them in rigid engagement with the stringer members, said reinforcing structure comprising a pair of frames consisting of said stringer and transverse members and means for holding said frames spaced apart whereby said frames will lie respectively just within the surfaces of the concrete structure reinforced thereby.

5. A reinforcing structure for concrete comprising a frame consisting of substantially parallel main frame members, and a plurality of substantially transverse members, the latter having their ends rigidly interlocked with the main members, corner members each comprising a main frame member, and means for securing the end thereof rigidly to the side of and on the same plane as the main frame members of the first named frame, said corner members also being provided with transverse reinforcing members Whose ends are rigidly se- 10 cured to the sides of the corner members.

In testimony whereofI, the said WVILLIAM GOLDIE, have hereunto set my hand.

WILLIAM GOLDIE.

Witnesses:

JOHN F. WILL, J. R. KELLER. 

